Chad Ford

(1:01 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. We'll talk NBA for the first 40 minutes and then move onto the NBA Draft for the last bit of the chat. Let's roll ....

Sean (Philly)

Chad, thanks for the time. Any chance the Sixers look to move Iguadala right after Dec 15? They need to get a better look at Turner and the only way to do that is to move Iggy.

Chad Ford

(1:02 PM)

I think he's at, or near, the top of the list of players likely to be traded before the February trade deadline. The combination of Holiday, Turner &#x26; Iguodala isn't working and if the Sixers can get Iguodala's number off their books, their in much better shape financially as well. My only issue ... is Evan Turner going to step up? He's got a lot of potential if the ball is in his hands, but off the ball I have serious questions.

MARCO PIMENTEL (NEW YORK, NY)

Chad if Landry Fields continues to play at this level, do you see him getting the rookie of the year award, or is it Blake Griffin's award no matter what. In which technically is his 2nd NBA season.

Chad Ford

(1:03 PM)

Landry Fields has been great. The steal of the draft hands down. If the draft had a redo, he'd be a Top 10 pick. But this is Blake Griffin's all the way if he stays healthy. He's playing at an All-Star level. And while technically you're correct, because he didn't play a regular season game for the Clippers last year, this is considered his rookie season.

Jackson (Rochester, NY)

What happened to the Cavs? At the beginning of the season they played like a scrappy team that could sneak into the playoffs by outhustling opponents. Now they seem like the worst team in the league. which are they?

Chad Ford

(1:07 PM)

They got the crap beat out of them by LeBron. It was humiliating. Up until that moment, I think they were playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. After that beat down, in front of their hometown fans, I think it was over. They looked and still looked demoralized. Dan Gilbert is going to have to clean house and he should. At the very least, someone on the Cavs should've knocked LeBron to the floor after the taunting of their bench. Honestly, the most pathetic performance I think I've ever seen from a pro NBA team. My guess is, by October of next year, virtually every player on the team will be wearing a different uniform.

Eric (Cleveland)

How close was Amare to being a Cav last year around the trade deadline? Is it true that the Cavs didn't trade Hickson to PHX because they didn't want to upset LeBron by trading one of his friends?

Chad Ford

(1:08 PM)

It was close. But it wasn't because the Cavs management didn't want to upset LeBron. They were worried about losing LeBron. They also had no idea whether Stoudemire would re-sign in Cleveland with or without LeBron. It's tough to give up your one decent asset on a risk like that.

Rhett (Toronto)

Have you caught any of Ed Davis's performances yet? For a guy who basically hasn't played in a year, he's looked really good in limited minutes -- and his defensive stats with Amir Johnson are off the charts. Do you think he could be a steal at 13 for the Raptors?

Chad Ford

(1:11 PM)

He was considered a potential NO. 1 pick before last season. A so-so year at North Carolina, combined with a rep that he got from his coaches as just a kid with a so-so work ethic caused his stock to drop. At 13, I thought he was a steal and I still think that both Utah and Indy probably made a mistake passing on him. We'll see. But the early returns are positive.

Web (Dallas)

Who has the better shot at taking down the Lakers in the West thus far, the Spurs or Mavs?

Chad Ford

(1:14 PM)

Slight edge to the Spurs. But the truth is that both teams have the talent and veteran experience to do it. But if I was a betting man, I'd still put my money on LA.

Hayden (New York)

Who has been the most disappointing rookie in your eyes thus far?

Chad Ford

(1:15 PM)

Evan Turner by a mile. But I'm also surprised Wes Johnson hasn't been better. I didn't think he'd be a superstar, but I thought he'd contribute more to a bad team right away.

VW (NYC)

D'Antoni for Coach of the Year? too early? but candidate for sure right?

Chad Ford

(1:16 PM)

Not yet. Knicks have to beat a few good teams first.

gregg (d.c.)

The only plausible move for the Cavs at this point is to blow the whole thing up and rebuild. What kind of market do you see for Andy, Mo, Antawn, etc.?

Chad Ford

(1:18 PM)

Actually Varejao will be the easiest to move if the Cavs are content getting cap relief &#x26; a future asset (which they may need to be at this point). Teams always need bigs who can rebound and Varejao would help a lot of squads. Antawn probably has a market too, again if the Cavs are willing to just take back an expiring. Mo Williams will be a little tougher to trade. There's a lot of really good point guards in the league right now. Hickson has a market too.

Maxwell (Lebron)

Latest "Awards Watch" has Lebron in the top ten for the first time. Likelihood he's #1 by the end of April?

Chad Ford

(1:20 PM)

Ummmm ... I think LeBron would need to deliver a triple double and the Heat would have to win 65 games for that to happen. The media vote on the MVP award and most of them don't like LeBron anymore. But if you're asking who the best talent in the league is ... I don't think anything has changed. If the pecking order gets established in Miami with LeBron as the alpha dog and Wade and Bosh supporting, the Heat are going to be good.

Disco (Chicago)

Mo to Kings? Only team I can think of that badly needs a PG

Chad Ford

(1:21 PM)

Good call.

Steven (Memphis)

What's the likelihood of Randolph and Mayo being moved by the Grizz this season, considering how disappointing the start to their season has been.

Chad Ford

(1:23 PM)

Both pretty likely if this continues. Michael Heisley came into the season pretty sure he had a playoff contender on his hands. He just extended Gay and Conley and he can't afford to let Marc Gasol go. And Xavier Henry's played well for them. I think Mayo and Randolph have a better than 50 percent chance of being moved by February.

Tommy (Chicago)

Boozer looked mighty fine against OKC.. Think my Bulls can fight for the 2 seed in the East? Or am I high-stepping?

Chad Ford

(1:24 PM)

I don't think it's out of the question. Boston's going to be at or near the top. Orlando has a good team. I think Miami is going to figure things out. But the Bulls should be right there. I love the combo of Rose-Noah and Boozer.

Sujei (Puerto Rico)

Hey Chad, big fan...It seems like Alvin Gentry ask for some kind of trade yesterday when he said "I don't know if we can play as many guys as we're playing, we have too many perimeter guys we are trying to work into the lineup. It doesn't work." What do you think?

Chad Ford

(1:26 PM)

I think anyone can see what Gentry is seeing. Robert Sarver's team of small forwards is interesting to watch, but the Suns aren't going deep with that squad. The problem is ... who do they trade? Jason Richardson has some value because of his contract ... but the rest ... not sure how it nets them a big man.

Sinatra (Avalon Park)

There's this city called seattle that would love to see the Hornets move there, any luck?

Chad Ford

(1:29 PM)

I think lots of us wouldn't mind seeing the Hornets move there. But without a new arena, I don't see it happening. I think the league really wants to keep the team in New Orleans. But if it can't, I think Kansas City and Anaheim are the two most likely destinations. Both have arenas ready to go. Vegas would be in the mix if their economy hadn't totally tanked. I also think it's not off the table that the league could contract the team. I was told that while it's not their preference, if they thought it would help them in the upcoming CBA, it might be worth the cash they'd lose.

Yale (Indianapolis)

Chad, do you see the Pacers making the playoffs and if so do you think they have a chance at winning a series or two?

Chad Ford

(1:31 PM)

Given how weak so much of the East is .... it's hard to figure out a way the Pacers don't make the playoffs. Maybe with as high as a sixth seed. But going deep? I thin they're still another year away from that. I do expect them to be one of the most active teams at the trade deadline. They have a ton of expiring contracts and aren't afraid to take back players with money on their contracts. If they can land an athletic 4 man, they'd pull the trigger.

Lance (Pdx )

Hi Chad, Roy Hibbert MIP?

Chad Ford

(1:33 PM)

I think Kevin, double-double, Love has the inside track. But Hibbert would be my No. 2 choice.

VW (NYC)

Ekpe Udoh coming back soon...are you high on him?

Chad Ford

(1:34 PM)

Nope.

Rob (Los Angeles)

MIP? What about Eric Gordon?

Chad Ford

(1:35 PM)

He's in the conversation as well. But Love and Hibbert are ahead of him in my opinion.

mendel (fl)

Whats the likely hood that andy v ends up on the heat? In all seriousness though why dont the heat take advantage of the injury excemption now that haslem is out?

Chad Ford

(1:36 PM)

Unless the Heat are willing to move Bosh or Wade, I can promise you that there is no way Dan Gilbert is making a deal with the Heat.

adam (Colorado)

The nba is as loaded with talent as I've ever seen it. (I'm 26). Partially due, in my opinion, to the 1 year rule. But now I hear the NBAPA is trying to relinquish that rule and allow high schoolers to go straight to the pro's again. Tell me this wont happen and that it is an awful idea.

Chad Ford

(1:40 PM)

I don't the league goes back to the way it was before. NBA scouts and GMs didn't like scouting high school games. It's helped them in their evaluations. If anything, the league wants to up it to two years of college before a player is eligible. I don't see this being a major issue. I think we all know that the easiest group for the Union to sell out is the incoming rookies. They aren't part of the Union ... and the longer you keep them out, the more jobs there are for vets.

Marcos (NY)

If you could choose a PG to run your team next year between Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio, who would you choose and why?

Chad Ford

(1:42 PM)

Irving. I know that kid can step in and fit with virtually any NBA team right away. Rubio is going to have some major adjustments to make. I like both, but if I was choosing, no question I'd take Irving right now. If he keeps up this play, he may end up being the No. 1 pick. As I wrote on Friday, a lot of NBA scouts now have him -- not Harrison Barnes -- a top their board.

MIchael (Montreal, Canada)

Let's talk about next year's potential rookies! Does Harrison Barnes lack the explosive ability to be a number 1 pick? He seems somewhat heavy-footed and doesn't show much fire or intensity on the court either.

Chad Ford

(1:44 PM)

The Harrison Barnes we're seeing at North Carolina is not the Barnes we saw in high school. The high school Barnes was confident, aggressive, poised and athletic. This one is just flat out lost out there. A lot of veteran scouts aren't ready to write him off after a handful of games -- Derrick Rose didn't look like the No. 1 pick at this point of the season either -- but if he doesn't get this turned around soon ... he's going to slide.

Mike (East Lansing)

Hey, Chad, what are your thoughts on Durrell Summers? Seems to have everything you look for out of a 2-Guard offensively (athleticism, great shooting touch), but he's also very passive.Where do you seem him going?

Chad Ford

(1:45 PM)

He's got great physical tools. But you watch him and it doesn't feel like he really knows the game. Second round pick.

VW (NYC)

Enes Kanter = future Kevin Love?

Chad Ford

(1:45 PM)

PRobably closer to Andrew Bogut

Jim (Akron)

Kemba Walker, explosive but lacks the size. Where does he project in the draft, and what about position?

Chad Ford

(1:47 PM)

He's under 6 foot and I don't think he reads the floor the way a lot of the elite point guard prospects do. But I was blown away with his speed, his fearlessness, his improved shooting touch and leadership in Maui. If he had better players around him, he might be able to do more as a point guard. I think he's a likely Top 10 pick.

Disco (Chicago)

How many first round picks for UK this year? Jones, Knight?

Chad Ford

(1:47 PM)

Yes. and Yes. Doron Lamb may be a third one.

Josh (Columbus, OH)

My beloved Ohio State University has produced a lot of high picks (Oden, Conley Jr, Turner, Koufos, Mullens, etc) that have not panned out. What do you think is Jared Sullinger's ceiling?

Chad Ford

(1:48 PM)

Ceiling is Elton Brand. A likely Top 10 pick this year.

Todd (Lexington)

John Henson, has been excellant on the glass and blocking shots this season what are your thoughts on him?

Chad Ford

(1:50 PM)

I love him. He's long, bouncy and very, very active. But he's got to get a lot stronger to be effective in the NBA and he has to figure out something to do on the offensive end. Kind of reminds me a bit of a young Andrei Kirilenko.

Disco (Chicago)

Morris Bros looked good last night, any draft buzz?

Chad Ford

(1:51 PM)

Marcus could be a lottery pick. Markieff a potential late first rounder. Both have improved every year. Kansas is really good. Can't wait to see Josh Selby in a Jayhawks uniform. I'm not much of a homer when it comes to basketball ... but I love the Jayhawks.

Disco (Chicago)

What do scouts say about Singler? Not a good enough shooter?

Chad Ford

(1:53 PM)

He's really solid. A mid to late first rounder.

Mike (Los Angeles, CA)

Where do you think Malcom Lee from UCLA lands in the upcoming draft?

Chad Ford

(1:53 PM)

Right now? In the D League or Europe.

VW (NYC)

can Lucas Nogueira make it in the NBA...another Varejao??

Chad Ford

(1:54 PM)

Some of the international scouts think he's a serious sleeper. We'll learn more as scouts get out to scout him more this year ... but for sure a potential first rounder.

John (Houston)

Perry Jones still a top 5 guy?

Chad Ford

(1:54 PM)

Yes. Maybe even No. 1.

Jim (Akron)

Who's the best college player out there right now that no one is talking about?

Chad Ford

(1:55 PM)

Check out John Shurna of Northwestern ... I wrote about him in Tuesday's stock watch.

mike (madison)

thank you for finally giving a shout to jon leuer. i think your scout is correct, if he was foreign, everyone would be saying lottery. do you think he can still end up there? what about his pro potential?

Chad Ford

(1:57 PM)

I doubt he's a lottery pick ... one of the reasons international guys get a bump is because they are underscouted and scouts have to project to the NBA game. Leuer is heavily scouted and most NBA scouts know how to project correctly from NCAA to pros. But he's a potential first round pick for sure. He may be the best shooting big man in the country.

Disco (Chicago)

Does McCamey remind you of alum Deron Williams?

Chad Ford

(1:58 PM)

He does actually. I've been wanting to put him higher on our Big Board for weeks, but don't quite have the buy in from NBA scouts yet. If he was a sophomore ... he'd be in our Top 10 for sure. Scouts have a harder time projecting college seniors there.